Electronic vaping device with outlet-end illumination

ABSTRACT

A cartridge for an e-vaping device includes a housing extending along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge, and an outlet-end insert coupled to the outlet end of the housing. The housing at least partially encloses a pre-vapor formulation reservoir and a vapor generator of the cartridge and further channels light via internal reflection through an interior of the housing. The outlet-end insert includes an outlet in flow communication with the vapor generator, directs the vapor generated by the vapor generator out of the cartridge through the outlet, and further emits the light channeled through the interior of the housing. One or more properties of the light are controllable.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/155,246, filedJan. 22, 2021, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/931,999, filed May 14, 2020, which is a continuation application ofU.S. application Ser. No. 15/858,425, filed Dec. 29, 2017, the entirecontents of each of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND Field

The present disclosure relates to electronic vaping devices, e-vapingdevices, and/or non-combustible vaping devices.

Description of Related Art

An e-vaping device includes a heater element which vaporizes a pre-vaporformulation to generate a “vapor,” sometimes referred to herein as a“generated vapor.”

The e-vaping device includes a power supply, such as a rechargeablebattery, arranged in the device. The battery is electrically connectedto the vapor generator, such that the heater element therein heats to atemperature sufficient to convert a pre-vapor formulation to a generatedvapor. The generated vapor exits the e-vaping device through anoutlet-end insert that includes an outlet.

SUMMARY

According to some example embodiments, a cartridge for an e-vapingdevice may include a structural element at least partially defining areservoir, the reservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, avapor generator configured to draw the pre-vapor formulation from thereservoir and to heat the drawn pre-vapor formulation to form agenerated vapor, a housing extending along a longitudinal axis of thecartridge, and an outlet-end insert coupled to the housing. The housingmay at least partially enclose the reservoir and the vapor generator.The housing may have a tip end and an outlet end. The housing may beconfigured to channel light from the tip end of the housing to theoutlet end of the housing via internal reflection through an interior ofthe housing. The outlet-end insert may be coupled to the outlet end ofthe housing. The outlet-end insert may include at least one outlet inflow communication with the vapor generator. The outlet-end insert maybe configured to direct the generated vapor out of the cartridge throughthe at least one outlet. The outlet-end insert may be further configuredto emit the channeled light.

The housing may be configured to receive, at the tip end of the housing,light emitted from a light source that is external to the cartridgethrough an opening at a tip end of the cartridge.

The cartridge may further include a light source at a tip end of thecartridge. The light source may be configured to emit at least a portionof the received light.

The light source may be configured to emit light having a selected colorof a plurality of colors.

The outlet-end insert may be configured to channel the channeled lightsubstantially exclusively through an outlet-end surface of theoutlet-end insert. The outlet-end surface may extend substantiallyorthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

The housing and the outlet-end insert may be included in an individualintegral element.

At least the housing may be transparent to visible light in a directionthat is substantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of thecartridge.

According to some example embodiments, an e-vaping device may include acartridge and a power supply section. The cartridge may include astructural element at least partially defining a reservoir, thereservoir configured to hold a pre-vapor formulation, a vapor generatorconfigured to draw the pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir and toheat the drawn pre-vapor formulation to form a generated vapor, ahousing extending along a longitudinal axis of the cartridge, and anoutlet-end insert coupled to the housing. The housing may at leastpartially enclose the reservoir and the vapor generator. The housing mayhave a tip end and an outlet end. The housing may be configured tochannel light from the tip end of the housing to the outlet end of thehousing via internal reflection through an interior of the housing. Theoutlet-end insert may be coupled to the outlet end of the housing. Theoutlet-end insert may include at least one outlet in flow communicationwith the vapor generator. The outlet-end insert may be configured todirect the generated vapor out of the cartridge through the at least oneoutlet. The outlet-end insert may be further configured to emit thechanneled light. The power supply section may be configured to supplyelectrical power to the cartridge to cause the vapor generator to formthe generated vapor.

The e-vaping device may further include a light source included in oneof the cartridge and the power supply section. The light source may beconfigured to emit light based on electrical power received from thepower supply section. The housing may be configured to receive at leasta portion of the light emitted by the light source at the tip end of thehousing.

The e-vaping device may further include control circuitry configured toactivate the light source based on a determination that air is beingdrawn through at least a portion of the e-vaping device. The controlcircuitry further may be configured to cause the light source to remainactivated for at least a particular period of elapsed time following acessation of air being drawn through at least the portion of thee-vaping device.

The light source may be configured to emit light having a particularproperty. The particular property may be a color of the light and/or abrightness of the light. The control circuitry may be further configuredto control the particular property of the light emitted by the lightsource, based on a determination that the light source has emitted lightfor at least a threshold period of elapsed time, a determined amount ofpre-vapor formulation held in the reservoir, a determined amount ofelectrical charge held in the power supply section, and/or a magnitudeof generated vapor that is generated by the vapor generator.

The outlet-end insert may be configured to channel the channeled lightsubstantially exclusively through an outlet-end surface that extends atleast partially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the cartridge.

The housing and the outlet-end insert may be included in an individualintegral element.

At least the housing may be transparent to visible light in a directionthat is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of thecartridge.

At least the power supply section may include a housing that is opaqueto visible light.

The power supply section and the cartridge may be configured to beremovably coupled together.

The power supply section may include a rechargeable battery.

According to some example embodiments, a method for operating ane-vaping device may include determining that at least a threshold flowof air is being drawn through at least an outlet-end insert of thee-vaping device, and controlling a light source of the e-vaping deviceto emit light through an interior of the e-vaping device based on thedetermining, such that the light is transmitted through an interior of ahousing of the e-vaping device to the outlet-end insert, and theoutlet-end insert emits the channeled light.

The light source may be configured to emit light having a particularproperty. The particular property may be a color of the light and/or abrightness of the light. The controlling may include controlling theparticular property of the light emitted by the light source, based on adetermination that the light source has emitted light for at least athreshold period of elapsed time, a determined amount of pre-vaporformulation held in a reservoir of the e-vaping device, a determinedamount of electrical charge held in a power supply section of thee-vaping device, and/or a magnitude of generated vapor that is generatedby a heating element of the e-vaping device.

The outlet-end insert may be configured to channel the channeled lightsubstantially exclusively through an outlet-end surface that extends atleast partially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the e-vapingdevice.

The housing and the outlet-end insert may be included in an individualintegral element.

At least the housing may be transparent to visible light in a directionthat is substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of thee-vaping device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The various features and advantages of the non-limiting embodimentsherein may become more apparent upon review of the detailed descriptionin conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying drawingsare merely provided for illustrative purposes and should not beinterpreted to limit the scope of the claims. The accompanying drawingsare not to be considered as drawn to scale unless explicitly noted. Forpurposes of clarity, various dimensions of the drawings may have beenexaggerated.

FIG. 1A is a side view of an e-vaping device, according to some exampleembodiments;

FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view along line IB-IB′ of thee-vaping device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is an orthogonal cross-sectional view along line IC-IC′ of thee-vaping device of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an outlet end of ane-vaping device, according to some example embodiments;

FIG. 1E is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of ane-vaping device, according to some example embodiments; and

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operations that may be performed,according to some example embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Some detailed example embodiments are disclosed herein. However,specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merelyrepresentative for purposes of describing example embodiments. Exampleembodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and shouldnot be construed as limited to only the example embodiments set forthherein.

Accordingly, while example embodiments are capable of variousmodifications and alternative forms, example embodiments thereof areshown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described indetail. It should be understood, however, that there is no intent tolimit example embodiments to the particular forms disclosed, but to thecontrary, example embodiments are to cover all modifications,equivalents, and alternatives falling within the scope of exampleembodiments. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout thedescription of the figures.

It should be understood that when an element or layer is referred to asbeing “on,” “connected to,” “coupled to,” or “covering” another elementor layer, it may be directly on, connected to, coupled to, or coveringthe other element or layer or intervening elements or layers may bepresent. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directlyon,” “directly connected to,” or “directly coupled to” another elementor layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. Likenumbers refer to like elements throughout the specification. As usedherein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one ormore of the associated listed items.

It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third,etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components,regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions,layers, and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. Theseterms are only used to distinguish one element, region, layer, orsection from another region, layer, or section. Thus, a first element,region, layer, or section discussed below could be termed a secondelement, region, layer, or section without departing from the teachingsof example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms (e.g., “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,”“upper,” and the like) may be used herein for ease of description todescribe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) orfeature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It should be understood thatthe spatially relative terms are intended to encompass differentorientations of the device in use or operation in addition to theorientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in thefigures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” otherelements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elementsor features. Thus, the term “below” may encompass both an orientation ofabove and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptorsused herein interpreted accordingly.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing variousexample embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of exampleembodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” areintended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearlyindicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms“includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used inthis specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers,steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude thepresence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps,operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

Example embodiments are described herein with reference tocross-sectional illustrations that are schematic illustrations ofidealized embodiments (and intermediate structures) of exampleembodiments. As such, variations from the shapes of the illustrations asa result, for example, of manufacturing techniques and/or tolerances,are to be expected. Thus, example embodiments should not be construed aslimited to the shapes of regions illustrated herein but are to includedeviations in shapes that result, for example, from manufacturing.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientificterms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by oneof ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. Itwill be further understood that terms, including those defined incommonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaningthat is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant artand will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal senseunless expressly so defined herein.

When the terms “about” or “substantially” are used in this specificationin connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the associatednumerical value include a tolerance of ±10% around the stated numericalvalue. Moreover, when reference is made to percentages in thisspecification, it is intended that those percentages are based onweight, i.e., weight percentages. The expression “up to” includesamounts of zero to the expressed upper limit and all valuestherebetween. When ranges are specified, the range includes all valuestherebetween such as increments of 0.1%. Moreover, when the words“generally” and “substantially” are used in connection with geometricshapes, it is intended that precision of the geometric shape is notrequired but that latitude for the shape is within the scope of thedisclosure. Although the tubular elements of the embodiments may becylindrical, other tubular cross-sectional forms are contemplated, suchas square, rectangular, oval, triangular and others.

FIG. 1A is a side view of an e-vaping device 10, according to someexample embodiments. FIG. 1B is a longitudinal cross-sectional viewalong line IB-IB′ of the e-vaping device 10 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1C is anorthogonal cross-sectional view along line IC-IC′ of the e-vaping device10 of FIG. 1A.

In at least one example embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, anelectronic vaping device (e-vaping device) 10 may include a replaceablecartridge (or first section) 15, sometimes referred to herein as an“e-vaping tank,” and a reusable battery section (or second section, alsoreferred to herein as a power supply section) 20, which may be coupledtogether at the respective interfaces 25A, 25B. The interfaces 25A, 25Bmay be configured to be removably coupled together, such that the firstsection 15 and the second section 20 are configured to be removablycoupled together. It should be appreciated that each interface (alsoreferred to herein as a connector) of the interfaces 25A, 25B may be anytype of interface, including a snug-fit, detent, clamp, bayonet, and/orclasp. In the example embodiments shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, air inlet ports27 extend through a portion of the interface 25B. It will be appreciatedthat, in some example embodiments, an air inlet port 27 may extendthrough a separate portion of the e-vaping device 10, including, forexample, interface 25A.

In some example embodiments, at least one air inlet port 27 may beformed in first housing 30, second housing 30′, interface 25A, and/orinterface 25B. In some example embodiments, the air inlet ports 27 maybe machined with precision tooling such that their diameters are closelycontrolled and replicated from one e-vaping device 10 to the next duringmanufacture.

In some example embodiments, the air inlet ports 27 may be drilled withcarbide drill bits or other high-precision tools and/or techniques. Insome example embodiments, the first housing 30 and/or second housing 30′may be at least partially formed of metal or metal alloys such that thesize and shape of the air inlet ports 27 may not be altered duringmanufacturing operations, packaging, and vaping. Thus, the air inletports 27 may provide consistent resistance to draw (“RTD”). In someexample embodiments, the air inlet ports 27 may be sized and configuredsuch that the e-vaping device 10 has a RTD in the range of from about 60mm H₂O to about 150 mm H₂O.

In some example embodiments, one or more interfaces of the interfaces25A, 25B may be the connector described in U.S. application Ser. No.15/154,439, filed May 13, 2016 and published as U.S. Application Pub.No. 2017/0325502 on Nov. 16, 2017, the entire contents of which isincorporated herein by reference thereto. As described in U.S.application Ser. No. 15/154,439, published as U.S. Application Pub. No.2017/0325502 on Nov. 16, 2017, an interface of the interfaces 25A, 25Bmay be formed by a deep drawn process.

In some example embodiments, the first section 15 may include the firsthousing 30 and the second section 20 may include the second housing 30′.The e-vaping device 10 includes an outlet-end insert 35 at a first end.As referred to herein, the first end of the e-vaping device 10 may bereferred to as an outlet end 45 of the e-vaping device 10. In someexample embodiments, the outlet-end insert 35 and the first housing 30may be transparent to visible light in one or more directions. Theoutlet-end insert 35 and the first housing 30 may at least partiallycomprise a transparent material, including one or more of a transparentplastic material, a transparent glass material, some combinationthereof, or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1B, in some example embodiments, the first section15 may include a structural element (also referred to herein as an innertube 32) at least partially defining a reservoir 34 configured to hold apre-vapor formulation, a vapor generator 40 configured to draw thepre-vapor formulation from the reservoir 34 and to heat the drawnpre-vapor formulation to form a generated vapor, and a first housing 30extending along a longitudinal axis of the first section 15, and theoutlet-end insert 35 coupled to an outlet end 31B of the first housing30. The first housing 30 may at least partially enclose the reservoir 34and the vapor generator 40. The first housing 30 has a tip end 31A andthe outlet end 31B. The outlet-end insert 35 may include a cavity 35Aand at least one outlet air port 36 in flow communication with the vaporgenerator 40 via at least the cavity 35A. The outlet-end insert 35 maybe configured to direct a generated vapor, generated at the vaporgenerator 40, out of the first section 15 through the at least oneoutlet air port 36.

In some example embodiments, the first housing 30 and/or the secondhousing 30′ is transparent to visible light in a direction that issubstantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the first section15. In some example embodiments, the second housing 30′ and/or the firsthousing 30 may be opaque to visible light.

As described further below, the first housing 30 may be configured tochannel light through an interior of the first housing 30 via internalreflection. For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the first housing 30 mayreceive light 92 at the tip end 31A of the first housing 30, and thelight 92 may be channeled, as internally-reflected light 94, through aninterior (thickness 30C) of the first housing 30 from the tip end 31A tothe outlet end 31B thereof based on internal reflection of theinternally-reflected light 94 between an inner surface 30A of the firsthousing 30 and an outer surface 30B of the first housing 30.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the first housing 30 may include a tip-end portion33 that is configured to receive light 92 at the tip end 31A of thefirst housing 30 into the interior of the first housing 30. As shown,the tip-end portion 33 is configured to enable the light 92 to pass intothe interior of the first housing 30 such that the light isinternally-reflected through the thickness 30C of the first housing 30,from the tip end 31A of the first housing 30 to the outlet end 31B ofthe first housing, as internally-reflected light 94 between the innersurface 30A of the first housing 30 and the outer surface 30B of thefirst housing 30.

As further described below, the internally-reflected light 94 may bedirected (“emitted”) from the outlet end 31B of the first housing 30 tothe outlet-end insert 35, where the light may be further channeledthrough the outlet-end insert 35 to be emitted from the e-vaping device10 as emitted light 96. As shown in FIG. 1B, the emitted light 96 may beemitted at least partially from an outlet-end surface 35B of theoutlet-end insert 35, where the outlet-end surface 35B extends at leastpartially orthogonally to a longitudinal axis of the first section.

Referring back to FIGS. 1A-1B, the first section 15 may include theinner tube 32 that defines an inner longitudinal boundary of thereservoir 34, and the first housing 30 may define an outer longitudinalboundary of the reservoir 34, such that that the reservoir 34 is anannular cylindrical reservoir 34 in the first section 15. As furthershown in FIG. 1B, the outlet-end insert 35 may define an outlet-endboundary of the reservoir 34, and the first section 15 may include atransfer pad 38 that defines a tip end of the reservoir 34. In someexample embodiments, the first section 15 may include a gasket assembly(not shown in FIGS. 1A-1C) that defines an outlet end of the reservoir34, such that the gasket assembly is between the reservoir 34 and theoutlet-end insert 35.

The inner tube 32 may define at least a portion of a channel 42extending through the first section 15. As shown in FIG. 1B, the tip endof the inner tube 32 is coupled with the transfer pad 38 such that thetip end of the inner tube 32 extends through the transfer pad 38 and theinner tube 32 defines the channel 42 such that the channel 42 is influid communication with a conduit 41A, described further below. Asfurther shown in FIG. 1B, the outlet end of the inner tube 32 is coupledwith the outlet-end insert 35, at cavity 35A with which the outlet airports 36 are in fluid communication, such that the inner tube 32 definesthe channel 42 such that the channel 42 is in fluid communication withthe outlet air ports 36.

The reservoir 34 may be refillable via a reservoir opening using anycommercially-available pre-vapor formulation in order to continuallyreuse first section 15. In some example embodiments, the reservoiropening is included in the outlet-end insert and enables access to thereservoir 34 from an exterior of the first section 15.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the transfer pad 38 provides a seal with the firsthousing 30 and further is configured to transport pre-vapor formulationfrom the reservoir 34 and between opposite (outlet-end and tip-end)surfaces of the transfer pad 38 to a dispensing interface 41 that isdescribed further below.

In some example embodiments, the transfer pad 38 includes a plurality offibers. Each fiber of the plurality of fibers may be substantiallyparallel to a longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device 10. The transferpad 38 may be formed of at least one of polypropylene and polyester. Thetransfer pad 38 may be formed by melt blowing, which is a process bywhich micro- and/or nano-fibers are formed from at least one polymerthat is melted and extruded through small nozzles surrounded by highspeed blowing gas and/or air. The polymers used in the melt blowingprocess do not include any processing aids, such as antistatics,lubricants, bonding agents, and/or surfactants. Thus, the polymers aresubstantially pure and the transfer pad 38 is inert to the pre-vaporformulation. In some example embodiments, the polymers may be mixed withprocessing aids, such as antistatics, lubricants, bonding agents, and/orsurfactants. The transfer pad 38 may be obtained from Essentra PublicLimited Company (PLC).

In some example embodiments, the transfer pad 38 includes an outer sidewall. The outer side wall may have a coating thereon that aids inreducing leakage and/or forming a seal between the transfer pad 38 andan inner surface of the first housing 30. In some example embodiments,the transfer pad 38 includes a plurality of channels. Each of theplurality of channels is between adjacent ones of the plurality offibers.

In some example embodiments, about 50% to about 100% (e.g., about 55% toabout 95%, about 60% to about 90%, about 65% to about 85%, or about 70%to about 75%) of the plurality of fibers extend substantially in thelongitudinal axis of the e-vaping device 10. In some exampleembodiments, about 75% to about 95% (e.g., about 80% to about 90% orabout 82% to about 88%) of the plurality of fibers extend substantiallyin the longitudinal axis.

The transfer pad 38 may be generally cylindrical or disc shaped, but thetransfer pad is not limited to cylindrical or disc shaped forms and ashape of the transfer pad may depend on a shaped of the reservoir andhousing. An outer diameter of the transfer pad 38 may range from about3.0 mm to about 20.0 mm (e.g., about 5.0 mm to about 18.0 mm, about 7.0mm to about 15.0 mm, about 9.0 mm to about 13.0 mm, or about 10.0 mm toabout 12.0 mm).

In some example embodiments, the transfer pad 38 is oriented, such thatthe channels mostly transverse to the longitudinal axis of the firsthousing 30 (where the longitudinal axis of the first housing 30 may bethe longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device 10). In some exampleembodiments, the transfer pad 38 is oriented, such that the channels donot run transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first housing 30.

While not wishing to be bound by theory, it is believed that thepre-vapor formulation travels through the channels, and a diameter ofthe channels is such that a liquid surface tension and pressurizationwithin the reservoir moves and holds the pre-vapor formulation withinthe channel without leaking.

Based on the Hagen-Poiseuille equation and principles of capillaryaction, it is believed that the flow rate of the pre-vapor formulationthrough the channels is directly proportional to the channel pore sizeand the liquid surface tension. Moreover, it is believed that the flowrate of the pre-vapor formulation through the channels is inverselyproportional to the liquid viscosity and channel length.

In some example embodiments, the transfer pad 38 has a density rangingfrom about 0.08 g/cc to about 0.3 g/cc (e.g., about 0.01 g/cc to about0.25 g/cc or about 0.1 g/cc to about 0.2 g/cc). The transfer pad 38 hasa length ranging from about 0.5 millimeter (mm) to about 10.0 mm (e.g.,about 1.0 mm to about 9.0 mm, about 2.0 mm to about 8.0 mm, about 3.0 mmto about 7.0 mm, or about 4.0 mm to about 6.0 mm). In some exampleembodiments, as the density of the transfer pad 38 increases, the lengthof the transfer pad decreases. Thus, transfer pads 38 having lowerdensities within the above-referenced range may be longer than transferpads 38 having higher densities.

In some example embodiments, the transfer pad 38 has a length of about5.0 mm to about 10.0 mm and a density of about 0.08 g/cc to about 0.1g/cc.

In some example embodiments, the transfer pad 38 has a length of about0.5 mm to about 5.0 mm and a density of about 0.1 g/cc to about 0.3g/cc.

In some example embodiments, the density and/or length of the transferpad 38 is chosen based on the viscosity of a liquid flowingtherethrough. Moreover, the density of the transfer pad 38 is chosenbased on desired vapor mass, desired flow rate of the pre-vaporformulation flow rate, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the vapor generator 40 includes the dispensinginterface 41, where the dispensing interface 41 is configured to drawpre-vapor formulation from the reservoir 34, and a heating element 43configured to vaporize the drawn pre-vapor formulation to form agenerated vapor.

The dispensing interface 41 is coupled to the transfer pad 38, such thatthe dispensing interface 41 may extend transversely over at least aportion of the tip-end side of the transfer pad 38. As described above,the transfer pad 38 is configured to transport pre-vapor formulationfrom the reservoir 34 to the tip-end side of the transfer pad 38. Thus,the dispensing interface 41 is in fluid communication with the reservoir34 via the transfer pad 38. As a result, the dispensing interface 41 isconfigured to transport pre-vapor formulation from the reservoir 34through the transfer pad 38 to the heating element 43.

The heating element 43 is configured to generate heat. As shown in FIG.1B, the heating element 43 is coupled to the tip-end side of thedispensing interface 41 and may extend along the surface of the tip-endside of the dispensing interface 41.

The dispensing interface 41 is configured to draw pre-vapor formulationfrom the transfer pad 38, such that the pre-vapor formulation may bevaporized from the dispensing interface 41 based on heating of thedispensing interface 41 by the heating element 43.

During vaping, pre-vapor formulation may be transferred from thereservoir 34 and/or storage medium in the proximity of the heatingelement 43 via capillary action of the dispensing interface 41. Asshown, the heating element 43 may at least partially extend along atip-end side of the dispensing interface 41 such that when the heatingelement 43 is activated to generate heat, the pre-vapor formulation inthe portion of the dispensing interface 41 that is proximate to thetip-end side of the dispensing interface 41 may be vaporized by theheating element 43 to form a generated vapor.

As shown in FIG. 1B, the dispensing interface includes the conduit 41A,where the conduit 41A is extending through the dispensing interface 41and in fluid communication with the channel 42 of the inner tube 32.

Still referring to FIG. 1B, first section 15 includes an interior space44 at a backside (tip-end) portion of the vapor generator 40. Theinterior space 44 is at least partially defined by first housing 30,interface 25A, and vapor generator 40. The interior space 44 assurescommunication between the channel 42 and one or more air inlet ports 27that may extend between the interior space 44 and an exterior of thee-vaping device 10. Thus, the conduit 41A establishes fluidcommunication between the air inlet ports 27 and the channel 42 via theinterior space 44, thereby enabling air to be drawn into the channel 42from the air inlet ports 27.

In some example embodiments, generated vapor that is generated by thevapor generator 40 based on the heating element 43 vaporizing at leastsome pre-vapor formulation drawn into the dispensing interface 41 fromthe reservoir 34 may be at least partially entrained in air drawn intothe channel 42 from the air inlet ports 27. As a result, the generatedvapor may be drawn through the channel 42 to the cavity 35A. Thegenerated vapor may then be drawn out of the e-vaping device via outletair ports 36 in the outlet-end insert 35.

Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the first section 15 includes the outlet-endinsert 35 coupled to the first housing 30 and the inner tube 32, suchthat the outlet-end insert 35 both defines an outlet-end side of thereservoir 34 and establishes fluid communication between the cavity 35Aand outlet air ports 36 of the outlet-end insert 35 with the channel 42.In some example embodiments, the first section 15 may further include agasket assembly between the outlet-end insert 35 and the inner tube 32,such that the outlet-end insert 35 is connected to the first housing 30and is in fluid communication with the channel 42 via one or moreconduits extending through the gasket assembly.

As shown in FIG. 1A-1C, the outlet-end insert 35 includes one or moreoutlet air ports 36 that extend at least partially through theoutlet-end insert 35. As further shown, the outlet-end insert 35 mayinclude the cavity 35A where the cavity 35A is connected to the outletair ports 36. As shown, the outlet-end insert 35 may be coupled to theinner tube 32 such that the cavity is in direct fluid communication withan outlet end of the channel 42, thereby establishing fluidcommunication between the outlet air ports 36 and the channel 42 via thecavity 35A. As a result, air drawn through the channel 42 towards theoutlet end of the e-vaping device 10 may be drawn out of the e-vapingdevice via the cavity 35A and one or more of the outlet air ports 36.

Still referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, the outlet-end insert 35 may beconfigured to receive internally-reflected light 94 channeled through aninterior (thickness 30C) of the first housing 30 between the innersurface 30A of the first housing 30 and the outer surface 30B of thefirst housing 30, channel the received light through at least a portionof the interior of the outlet-end insert 35, and emit the channeledlight as emitted light 96 through at least one surface of the outlet-endinsert 35.

For example, as shown in FIG. 1B, the outlet-end insert 35 may receiveinternally-reflected light 94 from the first housing 30 at an interfacebetween the outlet-end insert 35 and the outlet end 31B of the firsthousing 30. The outlet-end insert 35 may further channel the receivedlight, based on one or more of internal reflection, refraction,transmission, etc., to the outlet-end surface 35B of the outlet-endinsert 35, thereby enabling the light to be emitted as emitted light 96,such that the light 96 is emitted in one or more directions that areorthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the outlet-end surface 35B. Insome example embodiments, the light may be at least partially emittedthrough one or more outer sidewalls of the outlet-end insert 35. In someexample embodiments, the outlet-end insert 35 is configured to channelthe received light substantially exclusively through an outlet-endsurface 35B that extends at least partially orthogonally to alongitudinal axis of the first section 15.

As described further below, the internally-reflected light 94 that ischanneled through the first housing 30 via internal reflection andemitted through a surface of the outlet-end insert 35 as emitted light96 may provide an indication of one or more instances of information toan adult vapor from an outlet-end of the e-vaping device 10. Forexample, as further described below, the light 92 that is received bythe first housing 30 and channeled therethrough may be emitted by alight source in the e-vaping device 10, where the light source emits thelight 92 to have one or more particular properties associated withparticular information, such that the emitted light 96 indicates theparticular information to an adult vaper observing the emitted light 96.

In some example embodiments, an e-vaping device 10 may be configured tobe manipulated by an adult vaper such that the outlet end 45 of thee-vaping device 10 is proximate to the adult vaper and a tip end 50 isdistal to the adult vaper. Because the e-vaping device 10 may beconfigured to emit the emitted light 96 through a surface of theoutlet-end insert 35, based on the internally-reflected light 94 beingchanneled through an interior of the first housing 30 via internalreflection, the light 96 may be emitted towards an adult vapermanipulating the e-vaping device 10.

Thus, where the emitted light 96 is emitted to provide an indication ofinformation to the adult vaper, an e-vaping device 10 that is configuredto emit the light 96 through the outlet-end insert 35 may be configuredto provide improved visibility of the information-indicating light 96 toan adult vaper manipulating the e-vaping device 10, thereby improvingthe ability of the e-vaping device 10 to communicate information to anadult vaper manipulating the e-vaping device 10.

In addition, because the e-vaping device 10 is configured to emit light96 from the outlet-end insert 35 of the e-vaping device 10, the e-vapingdevice 10 is configured to reduce the visibility of the emitted light 96to other portions of a proximate environment in which an adult vaper islocated (e.g., away from the adult vaper).

As a result, the transmission of the emitted light 96 to the surroundingenvironment may be at least partially restricted to the adult vaper,thereby at least partially restricting the recipients of informationcommunicated by the emitted light 96 to the adult vaper to which theoutlet end 45 may be proximate. Furthermore, the reduced transmission ofthe emitted light 96 to the surrounding environment may improve privacyfor the adult vaper, as observability of the emitted light 96 may be atleast partially restricted to the adult vaper manipulating the e-vapingdevice.

Still referring to FIG. 1B, the e-vaping device 10 includes electricalpathways 48A, 48B that may electrically couple at least the heatingelement 43 to a power supply 12 included in the second section 20. Theelectrical pathways 48A, 48B may include one or more electricalconnectors. In some example embodiments, if and/or when interfaces 25A,25B are coupled together, the heating element 43 and the power supply 12may be electrically coupled together via electrical pathways 48A, 48B.

In some example embodiments, one or more of the interfaces 25A, 25Binclude one or more of a cathode connector and an anode connector, suchthat, if and/or when interfaces 25A, 25B are coupled together, thecoupled interfaces 25A, 25B may electrically couple the heating element43 and the power supply 12 together.

If and/or when interfaces 25A, 25B are coupled together, one or moreelectrical circuits through the first section 15 and the second section20 may be established (“closed”). The established electrical circuitsmay include at least the heating element 43, a control circuitry 11, thepower supply 12, and a light source 14. The electrical circuit mayinclude electrical pathways 48A, 48B, interfaces 25A, 25B, and/or asensor 13.

Still referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, the second section 20 includesthe second housing 30′ extending in a longitudinal direction, the sensor13, where the sensor 13 is responsive to air drawn into the secondsection 20 via an air inlet port 27A adjacent to a free end or tip end50 of the e-vaping device 10, at least one power supply 12, controlcircuitry 11, and light source 14. The power supply 12 may include arechargeable battery. The sensor 13 may be one or more of a pressuresensor, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) sensor, etc.

In some example embodiments, the power supply 12 includes a batteryarranged in the e-vaping device 10 such that the anode is downstream ofthe cathode. A connector element included in the electrical pathway 48Bmay contact the downstream end of the battery. The heating element 43may be coupled to the power supply 12 by at least the two spaced apartelectrical leads included in the separate, respective electricalpathways 48A, 48B, the interfaces 25A, 25B, sensor 13, light source 14,and/or control circuitry 11.

The power supply 12 may be a Lithium-ion battery or one of its variants,for example a Lithium-ion polymer battery. Alternatively, the powersupply 12 may be a nickel-metal hydride battery, a nickel cadmiumbattery, a lithium-manganese battery, a lithium-cobalt battery or a fuelcell. The e-vaping device 10 may be usable by an adult vaper until theenergy in the power supply 12 is depleted or in the case of lithiumpolymer battery, a minimum voltage cut-off level is achieved.

Further, the power supply 12 may be rechargeable and may includecircuitry configured to allow the battery to be chargeable by anexternal charging device. To recharge the e-vaping device 10, aUniversal Serial Bus (USB) charger or other suitable charger assemblymay be used.

Upon completion of the connection between the first section 15 and thesecond section 20, the power supply 12 may be electrically connectedwith the heating element 43 of the vapor generator 40 upon actuation ofthe sensor 13. Air is drawn primarily into the first section 15 throughone or more air inlet ports 27. The one or more air inlet ports 27 maybe located along the first and second housings 30 and 30′ of the firstand second sections 15, 20 or at one or more of the coupled interfaces25A, 25B.

The sensor 13 may be configured to sense an air pressure drop andinitiate application of voltage from the power supply 12 to the heatingelement 43 of the vapor generator 40. In addition, the at least one airinlet port 27A may be located adjacent to the sensor 13, such that thesensor 13 may sense air flow indicative of vapor being drawn through theoutlet end of the e-vaping device 10. The sensor 13 may activate thepower supply 12 and the light source 14.

Referring to FIG. 1B, the e-vaping device 10 may include the lightsource 14. The light source 14 may be configured to glow when theheating element 43 is activated. The light source 14 may include a lightemitting diode (LED). As shown, the light source 14 may be locatedproximate to an outlet end of the second section 20. For example, thelight source 14 may be coupled to the control circuitry 11. As shown,the light source 14 may be configured to emit light 92 that passesthrough the opening at the interface between interfaces 25A, 25B, suchthat the light 92 enters the first section 15 through an opening at thetip end of the first section 15, passes through interior space 44, andis received into the first housing 30 interior via the tip end portionat the tip end 31A of the first housing 30.

In some example embodiments, the sensor 13 is configured to generate anoutput indicative of a magnitude and direction of airflow in thee-vaping device 10. The control circuitry 11 receives the output of thesensor 13, and determines if (1) a direction of the airflow in flowcommunication with the sensor 13 indicates a draw on the outlet-endinsert 35 (e.g., a flow through the outlet-end insert 35 towards anexterior of the e-vaping device 10 from the channel 42) versus blowing(e.g., a flow through the outlet-end insert 35 from an exterior of thee-vaping device 10 towards the channel 42) and (2) the magnitude of thedraw (e.g., flow velocity, volumetric flow rate, mass flow rate, somecombination thereof, etc.) exceeds a threshold level. If and/or when thecontrol circuitry 11 determines that the direction of the airflow inflow communication with the sensor 13 indicates a draw on the outlet-endinsert 35 (e.g., a flow through the outlet-end insert 35 towards anexterior of the e-vaping device 10 from the channel 42) versus blowing(e.g., a flow through the outlet-end insert 35 from an exterior of thee-vaping device 10 towards the channel 42) and the magnitude of the draw(e.g., flow velocity, volumetric flow rate, mass flow rate, somecombination thereof, etc.) exceeds a threshold level, the controlcircuitry 11 may electrically connect the power supply 12 to the heatingelement 43, thereby activating the vapor generator 40. Namely, thecontrol circuitry 11 may selectively electrically connect the electricalpathways 48A, 48B in a closed electrical circuit (e.g., by activating aheater power control circuit included in the control circuitry 11) suchthat the heating element 43 becomes electrically connected to the powersupply 12. In some example embodiments, the sensor 13 may indicate apressure drop, and the control circuitry 11 may activate the vaporgenerator 40 in response thereto.

In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 11 may include atime-period limiter. In some example embodiments, the control circuitry11 may include a manually operable switch for an adult vaper to initiateheating. The time-period of the electric current supply to the heatingelement 43 of the vapor generator 40 may be set or pre-set depending onthe amount of pre-vapor formulation desired to be vaporized. In someexample embodiments, the sensor 13 may detect a pressure drop and thecontrol circuitry 11 may supply power to the heating element 43 as longas heater activation conditions are met. Such conditions may include oneor more of the sensor 13 detecting a pressure drop that at least meets athreshold magnitude, the control circuitry 11 determining that adirection of the airflow in flow communication with the sensor 13indicates a draw on the outlet-end insert 35 (e.g., a flow through theoutlet-end insert 35 towards an exterior of the e-vaping device 10 fromthe channel 42) versus blowing (e.g., a flow through the outlet-endinsert 35 from an exterior of the e-vaping device 10 towards the channel42), and the magnitude of the draw (e.g., flow velocity, volumetric flowrate, mass flow rate, some combination thereof, etc.) exceeds athreshold level.

In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 11 may include amaximum, time-period limiter. In some example embodiments, the controlcircuitry 11 may include a manually operable switch for an adult vaperto initiate a vaping. The time-period of the electric current supply tothe heating element 43 may be given, or alternatively pre-set (e.g.,prior to controlling the supply of electrical power to the heatingelement 43), depending on the amount of pre-vapor formulation desired tobe vaporized. In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 11 maycontrol the supply of electrical power to the heating element 43 as longas the sensor 13 detects a pressure drop.

Still referring to FIG. 1B, in some example embodiments, the controlcircuitry 11 is configured to control the supply of electrical power tothe light source 14 to control one or more particular properties of thelight 92 emitted by the light source 14, such that the emitted light 92,when emitted as emitted light 96, communicates information based on theone or more particular properties of the emitted light. The one or moreparticular properties of the light may include a color temperature ofthe emitted light 92 and/or a brightness of the emitted light 92 and/ora length of time (“period of elapsed time”) that the light 92 is emittedby the light source 14. As referred to herein, a “color temperature” ofemitted light may be referred to as a “color” of the emitted light.

The control circuitry 11 may monitor one or more properties associatedwith the e-vaping device 10. For example, the control circuitry 11 maydetermine (“monitor,” “track,” “calculate,” etc.) an amount of pre-vaporformulation held in the reservoir 34, an amount of electrical energy(“electrical charge”) held in the power supply 12, a magnitude ofgenerated vapor that is generated by the vapor generator 40 during oneor more individual instances of generating the vapor a flow rate of airthrough at least a portion of the e-vaping device 10, some combinationthereof, or the like. Such properties associated with the e-vapingdevice 10 may be referred to herein as “e-vaping device properties.” Thecontrol circuitry 11 may monitor the one or more e-vaping deviceproperties, based on processing sensor data generated by one or moresensor devices in the e-vaping device 10, including information receivedthrough a communication interface of the e-vaping device 10.

In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 11 may control thesupply of electrical power to the light source 14 to control the one ormore properties of the light 92 emitted by the light source 14 such thatthe emitted light 92 has properties that correspond to the one or moree-vaping device properties monitored by the control circuitry 11.

As referred to herein, properties of the light 92 may be the same orsubstantially the same (e.g., the same within manufacturing tolerancesand/or material tolerances) as the properties of the emitted light 96.The control circuitry 11 may thus enable the e-vaping device 10 to emitan emitted light 96 that has one or more properties corresponding to theone or more e-vaping device properties, such that the e-vaping device 10may communicate, to an adult vaper observing the outlet end 45 of thefirst section 15, information indicating one or more properties of thee-vaping device 10.

In an example, the control circuitry 11 may, based on both determiningthat electrical power is to be supplied to the heating element 43 tocause vapor to be generated and further determining that one or moremonitored e-vaping device properties at least meet one or more thresholdvalues and/or are within one or more ranges, control the supply ofelectrical power to the light source 14 so that the light source 14emits light 92 having one or more properties determined by the controlcircuitry 11 to correspond to the one or more e-vaping deviceproperties.

The correspondence (“association,” “relationship,” etc.) between variouslight 92 properties and various particular e-vaping device properties,including correspondence between particular values and/or ranges ofvalues thereof, may be stored in a look-up table that may be furtherstored in a memory. The memory may be included in the e-vaping device10, including within the control circuitry 11. The control circuitrymay, upon determining a value of an e-vaping device property based onprocessing data from a sensor device, access the look-up table todetermine a corresponding property value of at least one property oflight 92 to be emitted by the light source 14. The control circuitry 11may further determine one or more corresponding properties of theelectrical power to be supplied to the light source 14 to cause thelight source 14 to emit light 92 having the at least one propertyidentified in the look-up table.

In an example, the control circuitry 11 may be configured to cause thelight source 14 to emit light 92 having a particular color temperatureand brightness based on vapor being generated by the vapor generator 40.The color temperature of the emitted light 92, in a range of colortemperatures, may be proportional to an amount of electrical charge heldin the power supply 12. The brightness of the light 92 may beproportional to an amount of pre-vapor formulation held in the reservoir34. Thus, the color temperature and brightness of the emitted light 92,and thus the color temperature and brightness of the emitted light 96,may communicate information indicating both an amount of electricalcharge in the power supply 12 and an amount of pre-vapor formulationheld in the reservoir 34.

In another example, the control circuitry 11 may be configured to causethe light source 14 to emit light 92 having a particular colortemperature and brightness based on vapor being generated by the vaporgenerator 40. The color temperature of the emitted light 92, in a rangeof color temperatures, may correspond to a particular flavorant, of aset of flavorants corresponding to separate color temperatures in therange of color temperatures, that is included in the pre-vaporformulation held in the reservoir 34. The brightness of the light 92 maybe proportional to an amount of pre-vapor formulation held in thereservoir 34. Thus, the color temperature and brightness of the emittedlight 92, and thus the color temperature and brightness of the emittedlight 96, may communicate information indicating both a flavorantassociated with the pre-vapor formulation held in the reservoir 34 andan amount of pre-vapor formulation held in the reservoir 34.

In some example embodiments, a property of the light 92 emitted by thelight source 14, and thus the emitted light 96 that is emitted by asurface of the outlet-end insert 35, may be a period of elapsed timeduring which the light 92 is emitted by the light source 14. Forexample, the control circuitry 11 may be configured to cause the lightsource 14 to emit light 92 for a particular period of time that isproportional to the amount of electrical charge held in the power supply12, an amount of pre-vapor formulation held in the reservoir 34, somecombination thereof, or the like. As used herein, a value that is“proportional” to another value may include various types ofrelationships between the two values, including “inverselyproportional,” “directly proportional,” or the like.

In some example embodiments, the control circuitry may, upon determiningthat vapor is to be generated based on data received from sensor 13,control a supply of electrical power to both the heating element 43 andthe light source 14, simultaneously or according to a control sequence.As described above, the control circuitry 11 may control the supply ofelectrical power to the light source 14 to cause the light source 14 toemit light 92 having one or more particular properties that correspondto one or more monitored properties of the e-vaping device 10. Thecontrol circuitry 11 may cause the light source 14 to emit the light 92for a particular period of time.

The control circuitry 11 may monitor the amount of elapsed time thatlight is emitted by the light source 14. In some example embodiments,the control circuitry 11 may control the supply of electrical power tothe light source 14 to cause the light source 14 to emit a sequence oflights 92, where each separate instance of emitted light 92 hasdifferent properties, according to a control sequence. Thus, the controlcircuitry 11 may control the light source 14 to emit various instancesof light 92 that communicate various instances of information associatedwith various e-vaping device properties. As referred to herein, a given“instance” of light refers to a particular continuous emission of lighthaving a particular set of properties.

The control circuitry 11 may control the light source 14 to emit a firstinstance of light (“first light”) having one or more particularproperties that correspond to one or more property values of a first setof monitored e-vaping device properties. The control circuitry 11 maycause the light source 14 to emit the first light for a particularperiod of elapsed time, where the particular period of elapsed time maybe associated with the first instance of light and/or may be a magnitudeof elapsed time determined based on a determined value of one or moremonitored e-vaping device properties in the first set of monitorede-vaping device properties.

The control circuitry 11 may subsequently control the light source 14 toemit one or more additional instances of light (“one or more additionallights”) having one or more different properties that correspond to oneor more additional sets of monitored e-vaping device properties. Thecontrol circuitry 11 may cause the light source 14 to emit an additionalinstance of light for a separate, particular period of elapsed time,where the separate, particular period of elapsed time may be associatedwith the additional instance of light and/or may be a magnitude ofelapsed time determined based on a determined value of one or moremonitored e-vaping device properties in the additional set of monitorede-vaping device properties.

Thus, the control circuitry 11 may enable the e-vaping device 10 tocommunicate a relatively large range of information via controlling theproperties of light 92 emitted by the light source 14.

As indicated above, the control circuitry 11 may associate each instanceof light 92 emitted by the light source 14 in a control sequence with aparticular amount of elapsed time (“period of elapsed time”). As notedabove, the magnitude of the period of elapsed time associated with aparticular instance of emitted light may be controlled based on one ormore monitored e-vaping device properties of the e-vaping device 10,such that even the amount of time during which a particular instance oflight 92 is emitted may thus communicate information regarding the oneor more monitored properties.

Upon controlling the light source 14 to emit a particular instance oflight 92 (e.g., light 92 having one or more particular properties), thecontrol circuitry 11 may enable the light source 14 to emit theparticular instance of light 92 for the particular period of elapsedtime that is associated with the particular instance of light 92.

In response to determining that the particular period of elapsed timeassociated with an emitted instance of light has elapsed, the controlcircuitry 11 may control the light source 14 to emit a differentinstance of light, having different properties (e.g., color temperatureand/or brightness) corresponding to a different set of monitorede-vaping device properties of the e-vaping device 10 for a differentperiod of elapsed time associated with the different instance of light.Upon controlling the light source 14 to emit all instances of light inthe control sequence for the associated periods of elapsed time, thecontrol circuitry 11 may cause the light source 14 to be deactivated.

In an example, based on receiving data from the sensor 13 indicatingthat vapor is to be generated, the control circuitry 11 may controllight source 14 to emit two separate instances of light in sequence,where the first instance of emitted light 92, emitted for a first periodof time that is proportional to the amount of pre-vapor formulation inthe reservoir 34, has a color corresponding to a determined flavorantincluded in the pre-vapor formulation and has a brightness correspondingto the amount of vapor generated in response to the received data.

Continuing the example, upon the determination that the first period oftime has elapsed, the control circuitry 11 may control light source 14to switch from emitting the first instance of light 92 to emitting asecond instance of light 92 for a second period of time that is fixed(e.g. a constant value that is independent of any monitored e-vapingdevice properties), where the second instance of light 92 has a colortemperature and brightness that are both proportional with thedetermined amount of electrical charge in the power supply 12. Inresponse to a determination that the second period of time has elapsed,the control circuitry 11 may deactivate the light source 14.

To control the supply of electrical power to the heating element 43and/or the light source 14, the control circuitry 11 may execute one ormore instances of computer-executable program code. The controlcircuitry 11 may include a processor and a memory. The memory may be acomputer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable code.

The control circuitry 11 may include processing circuitry including, butnot limited to, a processor, Central Processing Unit (CPU), acontroller, an arithmetic logic unit (ALU), a digital signal processor,a microcomputer, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), aSystem-on-Chip (SoC), a programmable logic unit, a microprocessor, orany other device capable of responding to and executing instructions ina defined manner. In some example embodiments, the control circuitry 11may be at least one of an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)and an ASIC chip.

The control circuitry 11 may be configured as a special purpose machineby executing computer-readable program code stored on a storage device.The program code may include program or computer-readable instructions,software elements, software modules, data files, data structures, and/orthe like, capable of being implemented by one or more hardware devices,such as one or more instances of the control circuitry 11 mentionedabove. Examples of program code include both machine code produced by acompiler and higher level program code that is executed using aninterpreter.

The control circuitry 11 may include one or more storage devices. Theone or more storage devices may be tangible or non-transitorycomputer-readable storage media, such as random access memory (RAM),read only memory (ROM), a permanent mass storage device (such as a diskdrive), solid state (e.g., NAND flash) device, and/or any other likedata storage mechanism capable of storing and recording data. The one ormore storage devices may be configured to store computer programs,program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, for one or moreoperating systems and/or for implementing the example embodimentsdescribed herein. The computer programs, program code, instructions, orsome combination thereof, may also be loaded from a separate computerreadable storage medium into the one or more storage devices and/or oneor more computer processing devices using a drive mechanism. Suchseparate computer readable storage medium may include a USB flash drive,a memory stick, a Blu-ray/DVD/CD-ROM drive, a memory card, and/or otherlike computer readable storage media. The computer programs, programcode, instructions, or some combination thereof, may be loaded into theone or more storage devices and/or the one or more computer processingdevices from a remote data storage device via a network interface,rather than via a local computer readable storage medium. Additionally,the computer programs, program code, instructions, or some combinationthereof, may be loaded into the one or more storage devices and/or theone or more processors from a remote computing system that is configuredto transfer and/or distribute the computer programs, program code,instructions, or some combination thereof, over a network. The remotecomputing system may transfer and/or distribute the computer programs,program code, instructions, or some combination thereof, via a wiredinterface, an air interface, and/or any other like medium.

The control circuitry 11 may be a special purpose machine configured toexecute the computer-executable code to control the supply of electricalpower to the heating element 43 and/or to the light source 14.Controlling the supply of electrical power to the heating element 43 maybe referred to herein interchangeably as activating the heating element43. Controlling the supply of electrical power to the light source 14may be referred to herein interchangeably as activating the light source14.

As used herein, the term “flavorant” is used to describe a compound orcombination of compounds that may provide flavor and/or aroma to anadult vaper. In some example embodiments, a flavorant is configured tointeract with at least one adult vaper sensory receptor. A flavorant maybe configured to interact with the sensory receptor via at least one oforthonasal stimulation and retronasal stimulation. A flavorant mayinclude one or more volatile flavor substances.

The at least one flavorant may include one or more of a naturalflavorant or an artificial (“synthetic”) flavorant. The at least oneflavorant may include one or more plant extract materials. In someexample embodiments, the at least one flavorant is one or more oftobacco flavor, menthol, wintergreen, peppermint, herb flavors, fruitflavors, nut flavors, liquor flavors, and combinations thereof. In someexample embodiments, the flavorant is included in a botanical material.A botanical material may include material of one or more plants. Abotanical material may include one or more herbs, spices, fruits, roots,leaves, grasses, or the like. For example, a botanical material mayinclude orange rind material and sweetgrass material. In anotherexample, a botanical material may include tobacco material. In someexample embodiments, a flavorant that is a tobacco flavor (a “tobaccoflavorant”) includes at least one of a synthetic material and a plantextract material. A plant extract material included in a tobaccoflavorant may be an extract from one or more tobacco materials.

In some example embodiments, the first housing 30 and the second housing30′ may have a generally cylindrical cross-section. In some exampleembodiments, the first and second housings 30 and 30′ may have agenerally triangular cross-section along one or more of the firstsection 15 and the second section 20. Furthermore, the first and secondhousings 30 and 30′ may have the same or different cross-section shape,or the same or different size. As discussed herein, the first and secondhousings 30 and 30′ may also be referred to as outer housings or mainhousings.

In some example embodiments, the first housing 30 and second housing 30′may be a single tube housing both the first section 15 and the secondsection 20, and the entire e-vaping device 10 may be disposable.

Pre-vapor formulation, as described herein, is a material or combinationof materials that may be transformed into a vapor. For example, thepre-vapor formulation may be a liquid, solid and/or gel formulationincluding, but not limited to, water, beads, solvents, activeingredients, ethanol, plant extracts, natural or artificial flavors,and/or vapor formers such as glycerin and propylene glycol. Thepre-vapor formulation may include those described in U.S. PatentApplication Publication No. 2015/0020823 to Lipowicz et al. filed Jul.16, 2014 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0313275 toAnderson et al. filed Jan. 21, 2015, the entire contents of each ofwhich is incorporated herein by reference thereto.

In some example embodiments, the pre-vapor formulation is one or more ofpropylene glycol, glycerin and combinations thereof.

The pre-vapor formulation may include nicotine or may exclude nicotine.The pre-vapor formulation may include one or more tobacco flavors. Thepre-vapor formulation may include one or more flavors that are separatefrom one or more tobacco flavors.

In some example embodiments, a pre-vapor formulation that includesnicotine may also include one or more acids. The one or more acids maybe one or more of pyruvic acid, formic acid, oxalic acid, glycolic acid,acetic acid, isovaleric acid, valeric acid, propionic acid, octanoicacid, lactic acid, levulinic acid, sorbic acid, malic acid, tartaricacid, succinic acid, citric acid, benzoic acid, oleic acid, aconiticacid, butyric acid, cinnamic acid, decanoic acid,3,7-dimethyl-6-octenoic acid, 1-glutamic acid, heptanoic acid, hexanoicacid, 3-hexenoic acid, trans-2-hexenoic acid, isobutyric acid, lauricacid, 2-methylbutyric acid, 2-methylvaleric acid, myristic acid,nonanoic acid, palmitic acid, 4-penenoic acid, phenylacetic acid,3-phenylpropionic acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sulfuricacid and combinations thereof.

The reservoir 34, in some example embodiments, may include a storagemedium that may hold the pre-vapor formulation. The storage medium maybe a fibrous material including at least one of cotton, polyethylene,polyester, rayon and combinations thereof. The fibers may have adiameter ranging in size from about 6 microns to about 15 microns (e.g.,about 8 microns to about 12 microns or about 9 microns to about 11microns). The storage medium may be a sintered, porous or foamedmaterial. Also, the fibers may be sized to be irrespirable and may havea cross-section that has a Y-shape, cross shape, clover shape or anyother suitable shape. If and/or when the reservoir 34 includes a storagemedium, the propagation of light through the reservoir 34 may be atleast partially inhibited, such that external observation of pre-vaporformulation in the reservoir 34 may be at least partially inhibited andlight 92 may be restricted to being emitted to an environment externalto the e-vaping device 10, as emitted light 96, through a surface of theoutlet-end insert 35. In some example embodiments, the reservoir 34 mayinclude a filled tank lacking any storage medium and containing onlypre-vapor formulation. If and/or when the reservoir 34 includes lacksany storage medium, the propagation of light through the reservoir 34may be at least partially enabled, such that external observation ofpre-vapor formulation in the reservoir 34 may be at least partiallyenabled and at least some light 92 may be emitted to an environmentexternal to the e-vaping device, as emitted light 96, through at least aportion of the reservoir 34. For example, at least a portion of thelight 92 may be directed through pre-vapor formulation held in thereservoir 34, and out into the external environment via the firsthousing 30, such that the pre-vapor formulation held in the reservoir 34is illuminated to external observation.

The reservoir 34 may be sized and configured to hold enough pre-vaporformulation such that the e-vaping device 10 may be configured forvaping for at least about 1000 seconds. The e-vaping device 10 may beconfigured to allow each vaping to last a maximum of about 10 seconds.

The dispensing interface 41 may include a wick. The dispensing interface41 may include filaments (or threads) having a capacity to draw thepre-vapor formulation. For example, the dispensing interface 41 may be awick that is a bundle of glass (or ceramic) filaments, a bundleincluding a group of windings of glass filaments, etc., all of whicharrangements may be capable of drawing pre-vapor formulation viacapillary action by interstitial spacings between the filaments. Thefilaments may be generally aligned in a direction perpendicular(transverse) to the longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device 10.

The dispensing interface 41 may include any suitable material orcombination of materials, also referred to herein as wicking materials.Examples of suitable materials may be, but not limited to, glass,ceramic- or graphite-based materials. The dispensing interface 41 mayhave any suitable capillary drawing action to accommodate pre-vaporformulations having different physical properties such as density,viscosity, surface tension and vapor pressure.

In some example embodiments, the heating element 43 may include a wireelement. As shown in FIG. 1B, the heating element 43 may at leastpartially extend over a tip-end side of the dispensing interface 41 andmay at least partially surround an aperture of the conduit 41A extendingthrough the dispensing interface 41. The wire element may be a metalwire. In some example embodiments, the wire element may be isolated fromdirect contact with the dispensing interface 41.

In some example embodiments, the heating element 43 includes a stampedstructure, a cut structure, an etched structure, some combinationthereof, or the like. A cut structure may be a laser-cut structure, achemical-cut structure, a mechanically-cut structure, some combinationthereof, or the like. An etched structure may be a chemical-etchedstructure, a laser-etched structure, a mechanically-etched structure,some combination thereof, or the like.

The heating element 43 may be formed of (“may at least partiallycomprise”) any suitable electrically resistive materials. Examples ofsuitable electrically resistive materials may include, but not limitedto, titanium, zirconium, tantalum and metals from the platinum group.Examples of suitable metal alloys include, but not limited to, stainlesssteel, nickel, cobalt, chromium, aluminum-titanium-zirconium, hafnium,niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tin, gallium, manganese andiron-containing alloys, and super-alloys based on nickel, iron, cobalt,stainless steel. For example, the heating element 43 may be formed ofnickel aluminide, a material with a layer of alumina on the surface,iron aluminide and other composite materials, the electrically resistivematerial may optionally be embedded in, encapsulated or coated with aninsulating material or vice-versa, depending on the kinetics of energytransfer and the external physicochemical properties required. Theheating element 43 may include at least one material selected from thegroup consisting of stainless steel, copper, copper alloys,nickel-chromium alloys, super alloys and combinations thereof. In someexample embodiments, the heating element 43 may be formed ofnickel-chromium alloys or iron-chromium alloys. In some exampleembodiments, the heating element 43 may be a ceramic heater having anelectrically resistive layer on an outside surface thereof.

The heating element 43 may heat a pre-vapor formulation in thedispensing interface 41 by thermal conduction. Alternatively, heat fromthe heating element 43 may be conducted to the pre-vapor formulation bymeans of a heat conductive element or the heating element 43 maytransfer heat to the incoming ambient air that is drawn through thee-vaping device 10 during vaping, which in turn heats the pre-vaporformulation by convection.

It should be appreciated that, instead of using the dispensing interface41, the vapor generator 40 may include the heating element 43 such thatthe heating element 43 is a porous material which incorporates aresistance heater formed of a material having a high electricalresistance capable of generating heat quickly.

In some example embodiments, the e-vaping device 10 may be about 80 mmto about 110 mm long and about 7 mm to about 8 mm in diameter. Forexample, in some example embodiments, the e-vaping device 10 may beabout 84 mm long and may have a diameter of about 7.8 mm.

FIG. 1D is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of an outlet end of ane-vaping device, according to some example embodiments. FIG. 1E is alongitudinal cross-sectional view of a portion of an e-vaping device,according to some example embodiments.

Referring to FIG. 1D, in some example embodiments, the outlet-end insert35 and the first housing 30 may be integral with each other and thusincluded in an individual integral element that is the first housing 30.Thus, as shown in FIG. 1 , the first housing 30 may extend over theoutlet end 45 of the first section 15 and thus may define an outlet endof the reservoir 34 and an outlet end of the channel 42. As shown inFIG. 1D, the first housing 30 may further include cavity 35A and outletair ports 36 extending from the cavity 35A to the outlet end 31B of thefirst housing 30, where the outlet end 31B of the first housing 30 isalso common with the outlet-end surface 35B. Thus, the outlet air ports36 may be in fluid communication with the channel 42 through the cavity35A, and generated vapor that is drawn through the channel 42 mayfurther be drawn out of the e-vaping device 10 through cavity 35A andone or more outlet air ports 36 in the first housing 30.

Still referring to FIG. 1D, the first housing 30 may include acylindrical portion extending along the longitudinal axis of the firstsection 15 to the outlet end 45, where the first housing 30 furtherincludes a disc portion through which the one or more outlet air ports36 extend. Internally-reflected light 94 that is channeled through thecylindrical portion (thickness 30C) of the first housing 30 between theinner surface 30A of the first housing 30 and the outer surface 30B ofthe first housing 30, as shown in FIG. 1D, may propagate through thedisc portion of the first housing 30 to the outlet-end surface 35B atthe outlet end 31B of the first housing 30 to be emitted from thee-vaping device 10 as emitted light 96.

By including the outlet-end insert 35 and the first housing 30 in anindividual, integral element, the first section 15 may be configured toreduce the quantity of parts of the first section 15 and may furtherenable reduced expenditures of time, effort, costs, and/or variousresources to assemble and/or maintain at least the first section 15 ofthe e-vaping device 10.

Referring now to FIG. 1E, in some example embodiments the tip-endportion 33 of the first housing 30 may be integral with interface 25A,such that the tip-end portion 33 of the first housing 30 is configuredto both receive light 92 into the interior of the first housing 30 andis further configured to connect with interface 25B to couple the firstsection 15 to the second section 20.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating operations that may be performed,according to some example embodiments. The operations shown in FIG. 2may be implemented at least partially by any of the example embodimentsof the e-vaping device 10 included herein, including any exampleembodiments of the control circuitry 11.

At S202, at least a control circuitry 11 of an e-vaping device 10 maydetect at least a threshold amount of air flow in the e-vaping device10, based on sensor data generated by sensor 13. The control circuitry11 may detect air flow based on air being drawn into the e-vaping device10 via one or more of the air inlet ports 27 and/or air inlet ports 27A.

At S204 and S206, the control circuitry 11 may control the vaporgenerator 40, based on the detection at S202, to generate a vapor (S204)and may further control the light source 14 to emit a first instance oflight 92 (S206). Operations S204 and S206 may be implementedsimultaneously or substantially simultaneously (e.g., in parallel).Operations S204 and S206 may be implemented in series according to asequence of operations.

Controlling the vapor generator 40 at operation S204 may includecontrolling a supply of electrical power from the power supply 12 to theheating element 43 to cause the heating element 43 to generate heat tovaporize at least a portion of the pre-vapor formulation held in thedispensing interface 41. The supply of electrical power may becontrolled to cause a particular amount of electrical power to besupplied to the heating element 43 for a particular period of time,thereby causing a particular amount of vapor to be generated.

Controlling the light source 14 at operation S206 may include causingthe light source to emit light 92 having one or more particularproperties for a particular period of elapsed time. For example, thelight source 14 may be controlled to emit light having a particularbrightness and/or color temperature for a particular period of elapsedtime. The period of elapsed time may extend from a point in time atwhich a detected drawing of air through at least a portion of thee-vaping device ceases or drops below a threshold flow value (referredto herein as a cessation of air being drawn through at least the portionof the e-vaping device). The one or more particular properties of thefirst instance of light may be selected based on one or more values of aset of one or more monitored e-vaping device properties of the e-vapingdevice 10. Such one or more e-vaping properties may include a determinedamount of pre-vapor formulation held in the reservoir 34, a determinedamount of electrical charge held in the power supply section, and/or amagnitude of generated vapor that is generated by the vapor generator 40at operation S204.

As noted above, controlling the light source 14 at operation S206 mayinclude causing the light source to emit the first light for a firstperiod of elapsed time. The first period of elapsed time may be a periodof elapsed time extending from the time at which the light source 14first emits the first light at operation 206 to a first threshold valueof elapsed time.

At S208, based on a determination that the light source 14 has emittedthe first light for at least the first period of elapsed time (e.g., aperiod of elapsed time extending from the time at which the light source14 first emits the first light at operation 206 to at least the firstthreshold value of elapsed time), the control circuitry 11 may make adetermination regarding whether an additional instance of light (e.g.,light having one or more properties different from the first instance oflight) is to be emitted by the light source 14. If not, at S216, thenthe control circuitry 11 may deactivate the light source 14.

If, at S212, a determination is made at S210 that at least oneadditional instance of light having one or more properties associatedwith an additional set of monitored e-vaping device properties is to beemitted by the light source 14, the control circuitry 11 may control thelight source 14 to emit an additional instance of light 92, having oneor more properties different from the first instance of light 92 andcorresponding to the additional set of monitored e-vaping deviceproperties, for an additional period of elapsed time. At S214, upon adetermination that the additional period of elapsed time has elapsed,the control circuitry 11 may either control the light source 14 to emita further additional instance of light at S210 and S212 or maydeactivate the light source 14 at S216.

Example embodiments have been disclosed herein; it should be understoodthat other variations may be possible. Such variations are not to beregarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the presentdisclosure, and all such modifications as would be obvious to oneskilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of thefollowing claims.

1. An e-vaping device, comprising: a light source configured to emitlight; and control circuitry configured to control the light source,wherein the controlling includes activating the light source to emitlight through an interior of the e-vaping device based on adetermination that air is being drawn through at least a portion of thee-vaping device, such that at least a portion of the light is channeledalong a longitudinal axis of the e-vaping device through a thickness ofa first housing of the e-vaping device to an outlet end of the firsthousing, via internal reflection through the thickness of the firsthousing between an inner surface of the first housing and an outersurface of the first housing, and the channeled light is emitted fromthe outlet end of the first housing.
 2. The e-vaping device of claim 1,wherein the control circuitry is further configured to cause the lightsource to remain activated for at least a particular period of elapsedtime following a cessation of air being drawn through at least theportion of the e-vaping device.
 3. The e-vaping device of claim 2,wherein, the light source is configured to emit light having aparticular property, the particular property being a color of the lightand/or a brightness of the light; and the control circuitry is furtherconfigured to control the particular property of the light emitted bythe light source, based on, a determination that the light source hasemitted light for at least a threshold period of elapsed time, adetermined amount of pre-vapor formulation held in a reservoir of thee-vaping device, a determined amount of electrical charge held in apower supply section of the e-vaping device, and/or a magnitude ofgenerated vapor that is generated by a vapor generator of the e-vapingdevice.
 4. The e-vaping device of claim 1, wherein, at least the firsthousing is transparent to visible light in a direction that issubstantially orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the e-vapingdevice.
 5. The e-vaping device of claim 1, wherein, the controlcircuitry is located within a second housing of the e-vaping device, thesecond housing is separate from the first housing, and the secondhousing is opaque to visible light.
 6. A method for operating ane-vaping device, the method comprising: controlling a light source ofthe e-vaping device, wherein the controlling includes activating thelight source to emit light through an interior of the e-vaping devicebased on a determination that air is being drawn through at least aportion of the e-vaping device, such that at least a portion of thelight is channeled along a longitudinal axis of the e-vaping devicethrough a thickness of a first housing of the e-vaping device to anoutlet end of the first housing, via internal reflection through thethickness of the first housing between an inner surface of the firsthousing and an outer surface of the first housing, and the channeledlight is emitted from the outlet end of the first housing.
 7. The methodof claim 6, wherein, the light source is configured to emit light havinga particular property, the particular property being a color of thelight and/or a brightness of the light; and the controlling includescontrolling the particular property of the light emitted by the lightsource, based on, a determination that the light source has emittedlight for at least a threshold period of elapsed time, a determinedamount of pre-vapor formulation held in a reservoir of the e-vapingdevice, a determined amount of electrical charge held in a power supplysection of the e-vaping device, and/or a magnitude of generated vaporthat is generated by a vapor generator of the e-vaping device.
 8. Themethod of claim 6, wherein, at least the first housing is transparent tovisible light in a direction that is substantially orthogonal to thelongitudinal axis of the e-vaping device.
 9. The method of claim 6,wherein, the e-vaping device includes a second housing that is separatefrom the first housing, and the second housing is opaque to visiblelight.